Lightning runs came from the fingers of this famous pianist during his Allentown concert.

The Allentown Symphony opened its new season Saturday and Sunday with an all-Russian composer program, but Sunday's concert actually started with a version of the Star Spangled Banner. That was an impromptu performance, since it just so happened that it was the song's 200th anniversary.

From then on at Miller Symphony Hall it was a glorious Russian event, beginning with the Overture to Alexander Borodin's opera "Prince Igor." In only 11 minutes the orchestra suggested an epic story, with sweeping pastoral sections that gave a picture of the majesty of the Russian steppes, and dramatic counterpoint between the high and low strings that hinted at the conflict between the opera's Russians and Tartars.

Guest pianist Garrick Ohlsson shone on "Rhapsody on a Theme" from Paganini for Piano and Orchestra. Paganini, a 19th century violinist, had his virtuosity translated to the piano by Rachmaninoff. The pace varied between fast and slow, with stately lyricism alternating with lightning runs that drew thoughts along the lines of "How can anyone play that?" Except for a few woodwind parts, Ohlsson was backed only by the generally subdued strings.

Ohlsson received a rapturous ovation. He returned for a solo performance of Chopin's Waltz in C Flat, playing this difficult piece with both the required dexterity and a refined sense of its lyricism.

Conductor Diane Wittry told the story of Shostakovich's Symphony Number 5. Written in 1937, it came after the composer was criticized by the government for writing modern, instead of patriotic, music. The nearly hour-long piece began with an ominous feeling. A large part of the first movement alternated three sections — the violins, the cellos and bass, and the woodwinds, each carrying multiple themes.

The second movement was Shostakovich's "happy" section, as he was supposed to provide uplifting music for the Russian people. The Eb clarinet and flute provided a few folk sounding melodies, but the composer's heart was not in it, as they were backed by tense strings that felt heavy, sometimes with a slightly Oriental sound. The third movement yielded to a melancholy tone, almost moving into despair. Various woodwinds interspersed solos, giving a sense of loneliness.

The brass and percussion rose up for a march to emulate a patriotic fervor on the final movement, but again the strings were thoughtfully melodic instead of being rousing. An exception came towards the end, as they frantically stepped up their pace. However, Shostakovich limited them to repeating a single note, as a sardonic joke.